The Exit Plan

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Real World Strategies Every Business Owner Should Know

EVENT UPDATE:

Business Exits: Strategies for Founders and Business Owners will now take place on October 6, 2026.

The October program is being shaped to deliver a highly strategic, founder‑centric discussion focused on the realities of business transition with clear insights and practical guidance for owners planning their next chapter.

Registration for the previous date is now closed.

Please check back soon for updated registration details for October 6.


This private session brings together senior advisors in corporate finance, tax, and wealth planning to share practical strategies for founders and business owners who are thinking ahead about the future of their business, whether that involves a sale, succession recapitalization, or other strategic transition.


The discussion will focus on aligning major business decisions with long-term personal, family, and financial goals before complexity and time constraints set in.



Program Overview


8:00 AM – Doors Open
8:45 AM - 10:00 AM – Program

Reserve Your Seat

Meet our Speakers

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David Christian
Partner, Thorsteinssons, Tax Lawyers


David is a graduate of Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia Law School and a partner at Thorsteinssons, Tax Lawyers.

David’s practice covers all taxation matters, with a particular focus on corporate reorganizations and taxation of owner-managed businesses.

David was for eight years an adjunct professor of corporate tax law at Allard Hall, the law school at the University of British Columbia. He was for many years a contributor to the tax materials for the Professional Legal Training Course of British Columbia, and has lectured on tax matters at conferences sponsored by the Canadian Tax Foundation, the Conference for Advance Life Underwriting, the Pacific Business and Law Institute, the Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, and various professional organizations including the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ontario, the British Columbia Medical Association, and the Canadian Bar Association.

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David Lam
Vice Chair & Board Director, Deloitte Canada
National Managing Partner, Deloitte M&A Corporate Finance


National Managing Partner of the M&A Corporate Finance practice in Canada. David focuses on corporate strategy, M&A, and financing for large and middle market Canadian companies across all sectors.

David also serves on the board of directors for Deloitte Canada and is a Vice Chair of the firm.

Prior to Deloitte, David was a Director of Corporate Strategy & Development at TELUS and led strategic divestiture and acquisition mandates across Canada. David has a CPA and CBV designation and has published papers on M&A in Ivey Business Journal, CA Magazine, and CBV Journal.

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John Nicola
Executive Chair and Chief Investment Officer, Nicola Wealth


John is the Founder,Executive Chair and Chief Investment Officer at Nicola Wealth, where he continues to provide strategic leadership and long-term perspective to the firm.

With decades of experience in investment management, wealth planning, and business succession, John works closely with clients on complex decisions around exits, estate planning, and legacy building. He is known for his practical, long-term approach to helping business owners preserve value and align financial outcomes with personal and family goals.

John has been widely recognized for his contributions to Canada’s wealth management industry and to philanthropy, including being named a national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from Wealth Professional. In 2025, he was inducted into the Business Laureates of BC Hall of Fame.

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